Australia is one of the top study-abroad destinations in the world for higher education, with over 8 of its universities listed in the QS Rankings for Top 100 Global Universities. With vibrant cities, diverse geography, world-class education, a plethora of subjects to pursue, and job opportunities within the economy, it is considered one of the best countries for higher studies with a research orientation. Student visas are the keys to unlocking this trove of potential in Australia. To achieve this, international students are required to undergo several admission and financial criteria to get acceptance as well as a visa.
The student visa procedure for Australia is similar to that of countries such as the UK, USA, and Canada. In order for students to study a program or pursue a degree at an Australian educational institution such as a university, you will need to apply for a student visa and have it approved. Additionally, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements for the program you are pursuing, which may involve writing standardized tests, submitting SOPs, and filling out university applications.
What makes Australia’s student visa procedure an extensive task is to prove financial stability for the duration of the program, either through maintained savings or an education loan. These are scrutinized during the application process, which may also lead to verification or an explanation regarding the source of such accumulated funds.
The Subclass 500 Student Visa
The Subclass 500 Student visa was put into effect by the Australian Government on July 1, 2016. Some of the guidelines issued in July 2016 have changed and a Simplified Student VISA Framework (SSVF) has been implemented. To put it simply, the SSVF requires all international students to apply for the Subclass 500 visa, combining subclasses 571-576 into one.
- It allows the holder to stay for up to 5 years, which is inclusive of the duration of the study program.
- It allows the holder to travel within Australia, and to and from Australia.
- Additionally, the VISA also allows the holder to bring their family members to Australia.
- Moreover, students can work up to 40 hours per fortnight, which is one of the best privileges, ensuring that the students can earn for themselves.
Intakes in Australia
Australian universities’ application processes for their programs are split into 2 main intakes every year:
- 1st Intake: From February/March to May/June
- 2nd Intake: From July/August to November
It is important to be well-prepared for whichever intake you choose for your program. Most Indian students prefer to go through the first intake.
Requirements for Student Visa in Australia
Each country has its own visa requirements, which include both financial and academic criteria. The Australian student visa requirements underwent a major overhaul in September 2023, narrowing the poor academic profiles to be funneled out to ensure the talented and competent pool of students can arrive in Australia.
- A valid passport (scans of all pages)
- Proof of admission or enrollment from the university
- Passport-sized photograph
- Academic documents
- Proof of work experience (if applicable or relevant)
- Statement of purpose
- Cover letter
- Letter of recommendation (Academic or Professional)
- Genuine Student (GS) statement
- Details of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) from an approved provider.
- Proof of financial stability to cover tuition and living expenses.
For this aspect of the visa requirement, either or both parents are required to provide proof of annual income ranging from INR 12 to 13 lacs mandatorily for the last 2 years.
Additionally, liquid savings in the form of savings account funds or fixed deposits with its source of funds (e.g., sales of products, regular income accumulation or capital gains from property sales) must be strictly documented.
The amount of liquid savings required varies from INR 35 lacs to INR 45 lacs, depending on the university’s first-year tuition fees and annual living expenses, which can vary by region.
To meet these funds requirements, students are recommended to avail of an education loan covering up to 70% of the total funds needed.
Additional Measures for Student Visa
To be eligible to apply for an Australian student visa, you must be enrolled in a full-time course (Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD). The course must be registered under the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), and the Australian university where you’re going to study must provide you with an Electronic Certificate of Enrolment (CoE) as proof of study. This is one of the most important criteria for obtaining a Subclass 500 student visa in Australia.
The primary language of communication in Australia is English. You will need to provide proof of English proficiency to the VISA authorities for this reason. Proficiency in English shows that you will be able to communicate effectively, keep up with the coursework, and thrive in Australia (minimizing linguistic barriers). Proof of proficiency comes in the form of standardized test scores. The following standardized test scores are acceptable:
IELTS – Overall 6.5, no less than 6.0
TOEFL – Overall 22, no less than 19
PTE – Overall 59, no less than 54
- Health Insurance and Health Requirements: You will need to obtain a Medical Clearance Certificate indicating that you are in good health. Additionally, you must purchase an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurance policy to cover your healthcare costs in case of medical emergencies.
- Character Requirements and Background Checks: The authorities will check for previous criminal records or any affiliations with organizations linked to terrorism.
Submitting the Student Visa Application
According to the aforementioned Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), all VISA applications must be initiated and completed online. Also, keep all the necessary documents handy before submission.
- Create your Student Visa profile on the Australian Immigration Website.
- Apply for the Subclass 500 Student Visa and fill in the required details.
- You will need to upload scanned copies of some of the documents mentioned earlier.
- You can apply for your Student Visa up to 124 days before the commencement of your course.
- Pay the Visa application fees of AUD 1600 for the main applicant under Subclass 500, after filling in your application and uploading the necessary documents.
- Upon completion of all these steps, you will receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN). Your TRN will allow you to check the status of your Student VISA Application.
Work Options for Students
This section will cover the part-time work options available under the Subclass 500 Visa, as well as the post-study work options for international students, including the accompanying Subclass 485 Visa.
The Subclass 500 Student Visa allows international students to work up to 40 hours per fortnight (2 weeks) during the semester. During semester breaks, students can work an unlimited number of hours.
A point to note: you must wait until your course begins before starting your part-time job. Here are some of the part-time work options available for international students in Australia and their respective salaries per hour.
Post-Study Work Opportunities
Temporary Graduate Work Stream: Upon completion of your degree (whether Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD), you will be eligible for the Subclass 485 Visa, which is the Temporary Graduate Post-Study Work Stream for students. This allows the Visa holder to work and live in Australia for 2-4 years, depending on their course and qualifications.
Graduate Work Stream: Students with excellent academic records and relevant qualifications & skills relevant to a particular specialization or subject are eligible to work in Australia for up to 2.5 years. The aforementioned skills and qualifications are listed under the Medium- and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
